LES METAMORPHOSES D'OVIDE, En Latin, Traduites en Francois, Avec des Remarques, et des Explications Historiques Par Mr. L'Abbe Banier de l’Académie Royale des Inscriptions & Belles-Lettres

2 volumes. First of the edition, the French and Latin printed in double column. Extensively illustrated with figures in taille douce engraved by B. Picart and other skilled masters. The engravings consist of large pictorial illustrative chapter heads typically measuring over 22 by 17 cm. Also with engraved tail pieces and initials throughout. Folio [46.5 by 30.5 cm], in very fine and handsome contemporary mottled calf, the boards paneled in gilt featuring an outer gilt rolled frame in a fleur de list mottif around an inner gilt panel featuring large acorn corner-pieces, this surrounding a large and ornate central gilt element in finest period fashion, the spines elaborately gilt tooled in compartments between wide gilt-tooled bands, the compartments in a floral motif also featuring large acorn center tools, two compartments featuring morocco labels of contrasting red and green with extensive gilt decoration and lettering. 248; 249-524, [4] pp. A very fine and handsome set, the contemporary calf extremely handsome with only the most minor of expected age, internally very fresh, clean and wonderfully preserved.

Edizione: very scarce, the latin and french version of westein and smith's impressive illustrated ovid. it is far rarer then their latin/english printing, oclc notes only 15 copies in institutional collections and there are no auction records going back over 25 years. this a magnificent copy in full and very fine contemporary binding. banier's translation into french was a standard for decades and was later reprinted. there were several editions of it in 1732, but we are unaware of any earlier.<br> metamorphoses is mainly a collection of greek and roman myths, retelling classical stories such as echo and narcissus, jason and medea, and venus and adonis. it also includes the eastern babylonian tale, pyramus and thisbe. this great epic work has been recognized throughout the centuries for its inventiveness, charm, and originality.<br> “as a story-teller and guide to greek myth and roman legend, ovid was very influential on later roman writers and was read, quoted, and adapted during the middle ages. he was the favourite latin poet of the renaissance, and there were many translations of his works into english.”-m.c.howatson. his influence upon great writers through history, from chaucer to marlowe and shakespeare, is well-known.